Several migrants jumped into the sea from a Spanish rescue boat anchored near Lampedusa on Sunday in a failed attempt to reach Italian territory.

The video published by the Spanish non-profit group Proactiva Open Arms shows migrants in life jackets swimming towards the shore. The group were eventually picked up and brought back on board.

The rescue vessel run by Proactiva Open Arms has been anchored off Lampedusa, an island between Sicily and Northern Africa, for 17 days.

The Italian government led chiefly by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has so far refused docking permission for the boat, causing a stand-off.

The boat initially had 147 migrants on board when it reached Italian waters. In the last few days, 40 migrants have been transferred by Italian coast guard vessels to Lampedusa, including those who were considered ill or minors.